SOU men win hoops opener

ANGWIN, Calif. — The 23rd-ranked Southern Oregon men's basketball team opened the season in strong fashion, picking up an 87-76 nonconference win over Pacific Union Friday afternoon.

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Posted Nov. 3, 2012 at 2:00 AM
Updated Nov 6, 2012 at 12:15 AM

Posted Nov. 3, 2012 at 2:00 AM
Updated Nov 6, 2012 at 12:15 AM

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ANGWIN, Calif. — The 23rd-ranked Southern Oregon men's basketball team opened the season in strong fashion, picking up an 87-76 nonconference win over Pacific Union Friday afternoon.

Southern Oregon shot 54.5 percent from the field (30-of-55), including 52.9 percent on three-pointers (9-of-17), and connected on 16 of 19 shots from the free throw line. The Raiders return to action today, when they will visit Menlo for a 4 p.m. nonconference matchup.

Taylor Roos had a career-best shooting day for SOU, connecting on 8 of 10 shot attempts, sinking all four three-pointers and hitting all eight free throws to total 28 points in only 22 minutes of court time. Eric Thompson also made four 3-pointers en route to 22 points, while newcomer David Sturner tallied 13 points and a game-high eight rebounds in his SOU debut.

Derrick Brown scored 20 points to lead a group of four Pioneers who reached double figures. The Raiders took a 41-36 lead into the half and outscored the hosts 46-40 in the second half, with Thompson connecting on a three-pointer with just over a minute remaining to put the game away for the Raiders.

Women's Basketball

SOUTHERN OREGON 101, CALIFORNIA-MARITIME 53 — At Ashland, Southern Oregon scored its most points in a game since 2007, reaching triple digits in a season-opening win over California Maritime at the Red Lion/SOU Season Opening Classic at Bob Riehm Arena.

Southern Oregon's 101 points marked the first time the raiders had crossed the 100-point barrier since a 107-43 win over Canadian school Kwantlen early in the 2007-08 season. Melissa Sweat led the way in her SOU debut, scoring 22 points on 9-of-12 shooting for the Raiders. Allison Gida finished with 15 points in her first game with the Raiders, while Alexi Smith tallied 14 points and Angelica Cahee added 10.

The Raiders shot 59.4 percent in the game (38-of-64) while limiting California Maritime to 28.8 percent shooting (19-of-66). Javier Brantley led the Keelhaulers with 17 points.

Southern Oregon scored 13 of the first 16 points to take a double-digit lead less than seven minutes into the game. California Maritime scored the next five points, but SOU used a 13-2 run to stretch its lead to 15 points and the Raiders built a 49-26 halftime lead.

The second half saw Southern Oregon pull away, outscoring California Maritime 29-11 in the final 10 minutes to reach triple figures. The Raiders dominated inside, outscoring the Keelhaulers in the paint 68-22 and totaling 53 rebounds in the win.

Today will feature two more games in the Red Lion Classic, with Northwest Christian taking on California Maritime at 5 p.m. and the Raiders hosting New Hope Christian in the 7 p.m. night cap.

Volleyball

SOU FALLS IN FIVE — At Caldwell, Idaho, with a shot at an outright Cascade Collegiate Conference championship and the right to host the CCC Tournament on the line, No. 15 College of Idaho overcame deficits in both the fourth and fifth sets to defeat Southern Oregon 3-2.

(20-25, 25-13, 18-25, 25-23, 15-13) at J.A. Albertson Center.

Southern Oregon falls to 18-9 overall and 14-3 in conference play, while College of Idaho improves to 18-6 overall and 15-2 in the CCC. The Raiders still have a shot at a share of the conference title, but they will need help to accomplish the feat. Southern Oregon closes out the 2012 regular season tonight at 7 against Eastern Oregon, and the Raiders would need a win against the Mountaineers and an Oregon Tech win over C of I to earn the championship split.

Natalie Scheller led SOU with 22 kills, while Haley Kasler added 15 in the loss. Renee Yomtob finished with 21 digs and Caryn Westrick added 30 assists. Jessica Peacock's 17 kills led a group of four Coyotes with double figures, and Sierra Porter finished with a match-high 57 assists.